Social Security Updates Recently Announced Identity Proofing Requirements
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 26, 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits for millions of Americans against fraudulent activity. In-person identity proofing for people unable to use their personal my Social Security account for certain services will be effective April 14, 2025.
“We have listened to our customers, Congress, advocates, and others, and we are updating our policy to provide better customer service to the country’s most vulnerable populations,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “In addition to extending the policy’s effective date by two weeks to ensure our employees have the training they need to help customers, Medicare, Disability, and SSI applications will be exempt from in-person identity proofing because multiple opportunities exist during the decision process to verify a person’s identity.”
Under the updated policy beginning April 14, 2025, individuals applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who cannot use a personal my Social Security account can complete their claim entirely over the telephone without the need to come into an office.
Individuals who cannot use their personal my Social Security account to apply for benefits will only need to prove their identity at a Social Security office if applying for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits. SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing or in-person identity proofing for these cases. The agency will not enforce these requirements in extreme dire-need situations, such as terminal cases or prisoner pre-release scenarios. SSA is currently developing a process that will require documentation and management approval to bypass the policy in such dire need cases.
Individuals who do not or cannot use the agency’s online my Social Security services to change their direct deposit information for any benefit will need to visit a Social Security office to process the change or can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person appointment. The agency also recommends that individuals unable to apply online call to schedule an in-person appointment to begin and complete a claim for Retirement, Survivors, or Auxiliary (Spouse or Child) benefits in one interaction.
SSA recently required nearly all agency employees, including frontline employees in all offices throughout the country, to work in the office five days a week. This change ensures maximum staffing is available to support the stronger in-person identity proofing requirement.
The agency will continue to monitor and, if necessary, make adjustments to ensure it pays the right person the right amount at the right time while safeguarding the benefits and programs it administers. SSA plans to implement the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service’s payment integrity service called Account Verification Service (AVS). AVS provides instant bank verification services to proactively and timely prevent fraud associated with direct deposit change requests. SSA will continue to fight fraud while balancing its program integrity responsibilities with delivering on its customer service mission to the American people.
People who do not already have a my Social Security account can create one.
Stay up to date about SSA’s identity proofing requirements and exceptions at What to Know about Proving Your Identity | SSA.
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Simon N.
Sy Ng.
2 points I like to make:
a/ ID verifications are required IF you are NEW
applicants for NEW SS benefit(s) and or existing SS recipients want to CHANGE to NEW bank account(s), the existing SS elders who have been receiving the SS benefit(s) with existing bank account(s) they are NOT required to follow these ID verifications which’re confused and unclear(?)
b/ Suggestion: If Trump/Musk smart enough to require ONLY the NEWLY SS applicants from now on with this NEW ID verifications instead every ones (new and old) related to SS’s benefits recipients. DOGE’s and/or SS’s news are not specific or clear about this ID verifiable policy!
Tom R.
It’s about time that changes were made to the SS system. The same people that complain of these changes are probably identify with the crowd that objects to positive identification of voters. Go DOGE!
Balakrishna M.
I am Balakrishna M. Ramaraju of Leander, TX,
DOB 11/10/1934. I informed SSA that I will be away from USA for 66 days from 2/22/2025 to 4/28/2025 and I will be back in Leander, Travis County, Texas 78641, on 4/29/2025.
TX HHSC stopped my Medicaid and consequently my UHC HMO needs Medicaid and Medicare. From May onward I have Medical needs
Wenjoe
I’m confused … do I need a my Social Security account as well as a login.gov or ID.me? Please clarify and thank you.
Jacy W.
Appears all 68.5 million of us receiving social security have to verify we’re alive by coming into a physical office. What additional proof beyond showing up is needed? How soon do all 68.5 million have to be processed beginning on April 14? Also can I go to any office in the country?
C.B.
Hi, Jacy. Thanks for using our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this clears up any confusion.
julie L.
I am currently on social security. I am not sure whether I am required to come in to an office for in person identity verification of not. I am 77 years old.
C.B.
Hi, Julie. Thanks for using our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this clears up any confusion.
Danny
Recently, it was posted that some people who were/are collecting SSDI can possibly qualify for SSI, as well. My SSDI has now converted to SS Retirement. I keep losing the call whenever I call the office. Is it better for me to just apply online?
Lily S.
I think SSA should have mobile units for rural or small town locations. They can have specific days each week when they will be in a specific location and they can handle walk-ins and appointments.
As an example, they can be in Happy Trails City every 2nd and 4th Monday , Tower Town on the 1st and 3rd Thursday , and so forth.
The schedule could be posted online, in the post office, and even via email.
Mary S.
A news organization is reporting that those who are presently receiving benefits must verify their identity in person to continue receiving payments. This release does not say that. Can you verify this information or deny it?
S.S.
Hi, Mary. Thanks for using our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this helps.
Gail G.
Are Social Security payments by direct deposit being affected? Do I / we have to go to the local office before April payment due?
C.B.
Hi, Gail. Thanks for using our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this clears up any confusion.